Quinte Rainbow Refuge in partnership with Capital Rainbow Refuge is pleased to announce its newest sponsorship application to bring a young Afghan Human Rights Defender to safety and freedom here in the Quinte region (Canada)

"It’s suffocating and you have to fear for your life with every breath you take,” says Nemat Sadat, author and Executive Director of Roshaniya, an organisation that helps LGBTQ+ Afghans facing persecution in the country. “Afghanistan under Taliban rule is the most unbearable place in the world for LGBTQ+ people.”

"I have had the great pleasure of knowing and working alongside Mr Shir [not our applicant's real name] while trying to evacuate 1300 LGBTQI+ people in Afghanistan..."

"With each passing day LGBTQI+ people on our list get beaten, raped, tortured or go missing. As Afghanistan continues to crumble, LGBTQI+ Afghans continue to get annihilated..."

"The bravery and arduous efforts exhibited by Mr Shir and his LGBTQI+ comrades to secretly support each other while inside Afghanistan or in hostile neighboring countries is the definition of what it means to be on the frontlines."

"Helping a vulnerable LGBTQI+ Afghan like Mr Shir is needed to ensure that his journey has not come to an end."

For more information about Canada's private sponsorship of refugees program please visit Refugee Sponsorship Training Program